Ron Erbel: Retiring after 44 Years, But Not Hanging Up His Fire Helmet 

Veteran Firefighter Ron Erbel celebrated his retirement Saturday before a large crowd. He recieved a framed U.S. flag that flew over the Key Biscayne firehouse and heard a “radio call” that was read over the air annnouncing his departure July 31. Erbel was part of a Miami team that responded to New York City after the attacks on the World Trade Center Sept. 11, 2001.

He refelects here on his time protecting the community.

Key News: Looking back, how would you describe your work in Key Biscayne? 

Ron Erbel: If someone asked, I would say I never worked a day in my life, because I’ve always enjoyed whatever I’ve done. When I was a volunteer firefighter and working in my landscape company, I worked long and hard, and I always enjoyed it. The fire department is the same, and it’s been exciting. 

KN: Compare the early days of Key Biscayne’s volunteer fire department to today’s

RE: Well, it’s been 44 years. Back in the early years, well this was a sleepy little town. We might have had 5,000 residents, today it’s over 10,000. We were trained, not to the same level as today’s firefighter-paramedics, and that training has really shown me the difference. Today’s department is more than a full circle turn — it is a 380-degree difference. 

KN: What was the most outstanding thing that happened on the job?  

RE: The one thing that really is most memorable is delivering my own daughter on my living room floor at 2 a.m. There was no chance, no time to get to a hospital. I did call Dade County Fire Rescue, and they showed up and said, “Hi Ron.” 

KN: What’s next? 

RE: I don’t think I’ll never really hang up my fire hat. One of the focuses of my staying involved is working with the new state law that took effect that says if you’re a firefighter and were cancer-free before joining, you are covered by workers’ compensation…I will be an advocate for the [Key Biscayne Firefighter’s] union and work to make sure the Village does the right thing. 

Ron Erbel kisses wife Victoria Jackson at his retirement party ending four decades as a Key Biscayne firefighter, July 6, 2019 (Key News/Tony Winton)